Croydon Council has won a battle in the High Court over the age of asylum seekers.

Thousands of young asylum seekers arriving in the country claim to be minors to forgo some of the formalities adults have to go through when applying for asylum.

The High Court test case focussed on two Afghan youths who told immigration officials they were 15.

But social workers judged them to be over 18 and therefore classified as adults.

After being classified as adults, they sought help from Dr Diana Birch, a pediatric specialist who had previously provided age assessments for young asylum seekers.

She informed officials she thought one was 15 and the other around 14, but on Friday, Mr Justice Collins said a pediatrician’s assessment was not any more reliable than that of a well-trained and experienced social worker.

And, although the report of pediatrician’s such as Dr Birch should not be disregarded, Croydon Council was allowed to rely on the assessment of its social workers.

More than fifty cases were waiting on the ruling, which will affect thousands of other child asylum seekers, and has huge financial implications for the councils affected.

Foreign children who come in to the UK are given care and support and are entitled to education.

They are given legal aid and are not subject to the same deportation laws as adults, even if asylum claims are rejected.

If officials think someone is lying about their age, an independent doctor is called in to verify whether or not their claims are real.

In January it emerged through a Croydon Guardian investigation that many immigrants are given the same date of birth after they claim not to have valid identification proving their age.

A council spokesman said: “We welcome this judgement.

"It has been a long and hard fought campaign and this decision vindicates Croydon’s approach to care of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

“We always seek to protect the interests of children and every effort is made to determine the age of these young people in a fair and consistent manner as has been upheld by the court.”